Sansevieria zeylanica

Plant Family

Agavaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Sansevieria zeylanica

Photo by: CAROL CLOUD BAILEY

Plant Common Name

Snake Plant

General Description

The deep-green coloring of the Ceylon bow-string plant distinguishes it from the popular variegated forms commonly sold as house plants. This tough, clump-forming, evergreen perennial is native to Ceylon and the Indian mainland. Its fleshy, upright, dagger-shaped leaves are horizontally banded with attractive mottling.

Elongated clusters of fragrant, greenish-white flowers appear only under ideal conditions. It will grow in almost any soil or exposure although over-watering and cold can be deadly. A familiar and long-suffering houseplant, it also makes a good garden accent in pots and has become a hallmark of warm-climate Spanish architecture. These plants grow in the ground where soils are well-drained and make an excellent contrasting form for large, rounded leaves. They also provide a solution for overly shady nooks.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  12 - 1

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  14 - 15

• Sunset Zone

  13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Cactus or Succulent

• Sun Exposure

  Partial Sun, Partial Shade

• Height

  12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm

• Width

  12"-36" / 30.5cm - 91.4cm

• Bloom Time

  Spring

• Native To

  India

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic, Neutral

• Soil Moisture

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Clay, Loam, Sand

• Tolerances

  Drought, Soil Compaction

• Growth Rate

  Medium

• Water Requirements

  Drought Tolerant, Average Water

• Habit

  Clump-Forming

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Showy

• Flower Color

  White

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Dark Green

• Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

  Spotted/Mottled

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Dark Green

• Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

  Spotted/Mottled

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Dark Green

• Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

  Spotted/Mottled

• Foliage Color (Winter)

  Dark Green

• Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

  SpottedMottled

• Fragrant Flowers

  No

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Flower Petal Number

  Single

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  No

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  Yes

• Foliage Texture

  Medium

• Foliage Sheen

  Glossy

• Evergreen

  Yes

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Container, Tropical

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Self-Sowing

  No